Recorded crime in the Bay of Plenty continued to fall in the year to 30 June, 2012, with a decrease of 8.6 percent on the previous 12 months; one of the biggest reductions in the country.
When the population rise during this period is taken in to account it is the lowest crime rate ever recorded for the District.
Fiscal year figures released today show that a total of 34,886 offences were recorded, 3,289 less offences than previous year.
The official statistics also show that three of the four Bay of Plenty Areas also had recorded crime reductions. Western Bay saw the biggest decrease of 17.4 percent, with Taupo and Rotorua recording reductions of 7.4 percent and 3 percent respectively. Although Eastern Bay recorded a 1.5 percent increase, this still demonstrates a positive trend as the level of increase over the past few years has been slowing dramatically. In the fiscal year ending 2010/2011 it had risen 7.8 percent and the year before that it had been 11.3 percent.
Some of the highlights include:
• Acts intending to cause injury dropped 8.6 percent or 364 offences
• Abduction, harassment and other related offences against a person dropped 13.7 percent or 156 offences
• Unlawful entry with intent/burglary/break and enter dropped 9.1 percent or 514 offences
• Theft and related offences fell 6 percent or 673 offences
• Fraud, deception and related offences fell 23.9 percent or 185 offences
• Prohibited and regulated weapons and explosives offences dropped 14.7 or 104 offences
• Public Order offences dropped 18 percent or 843 offences
Sexual assaults and related offences rose by 6.7 percent, but this is against a rise of 35 percent the previous year, and a more detailed look at the statistics shows that over half of the offences were historical. This means that they were reported rather than actually occurring during the 2011/12 period signalling that that the public has a growing trust and confidence to report this type of offending in the knowledge that it will be treated with the seriousness it deserves.
Bay of Plenty District Commander, Superintendent Glenn Dunbier says he is heartened by the results. "This means there are a whole lot less people who have had to suffer the trauma and stress of being a victim of a crime, and it means our efforts to make Bay of Plenty a safer place to live, work and visit are paying off.
"We have had a preventative focus for years in the District and with the launch of the Prevention First model of policing nationally we intend to build on that work even further. A number of measures have been put in place over recent months to provide improved accessibility for victims of crime and to free up staff to spend more time preventing crime.
"Our police staff are community minded people who come to work to make a difference and these results and absolute testament to all of their hard work and the invaluable support that we receive from our partners and our community."
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.